How to Cite a Reddit or Forum Post in APA (7th edition)
Learn how to cite Reddit threads, AMAs, and online forum or discussion-board posts in APA format (7th edition). This guide includes the reference list format, in-text citation examples, and key formatting rules.
APA Reference List Format
Here is the standard APA format for citing a Reddit post in your reference list:
Author, A. A. [u/username]. (Year, Month Day). Content of the post up to the first 20 words [Online forum post]. Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/subreddit/comments/xxxxx
APA Example for a Reddit or Forum Post
A complete APA reference for a Reddit post, formatted by the official APA CSL style definition — the same engine that powers the generator on this site:
u/quiet_scholar. (2024, July 15). How do you organise sources for a literature review? R/AskAcademia, Reddit. https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAcademia/comments/abc123
Matching in-text citation: (u/quiet_scholar, 2024)
APA In-Text Citation
Use one of these formats when referencing this source within your paper:
Parenthetical
(Username, 2024)
Narrative
Username (2024) wrote...
Key APA Formatting Rules
- Use the poster's real name if it is known, followed by their screen name in brackets, e.g. "[u/username]"; if only the screen name is available, use it alone.
- Reproduce up to the first 20 words of the post as the title in sentence case and give the date as (Year, Month Day).
- Add the bracketed descriptor [Online forum post] after the title and name Reddit (or the forum's site name) as the source.
- End with the direct URL of the thread or comment.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Gather source information: Collect the author name, title, publication date, and URL or DOI for your Reddit post.
- Format the reference: Arrange the elements following the APA (7th edition) template shown above.
- Create the in-text citation: Add a parenthetical or narrative citation in your paper where you reference this source.
- Add to your reference list: Include the full formatted citation at the end of your paper.
- Double-check formatting: Verify italics, punctuation, capitalization, and hanging indents match APA requirements.
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